The 16th Annual Golf Tournament for the John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund will be held this year once again at the Falmouth Country Club in Falmouth, MA. Saturday, September 10. Tee time is 8:30 a.m. If you’d like to play or sponsor go online to www.johns-team.org for all the information regarding this excellent fundraiser for a worthy cause.

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Two Board Orders are going in for this Thursday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, on August 25. One is specific to the Henderson Street property, the other pertains to the City Solicitor’s interpretation of the subpoena power of the Board for property owners like Dr. No Permits Needed. Remember, we told you last week that Dr. No Permits Needed the dentist/developer in Davis Square has stop work orders currently in effect.

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Coming up shortly, in September on the 13th, DISCOVER … East Somerville’s best-kept culinary secrets at 15+ restaurants. From 14 Broadway to 192, join the 2016 Participants: Maya Sol, Casey’s, Connexion, Fasika, Rincon Mexicano, Taco Loco, Los Paisanos, East End Grille, Vinny’s, Ola Cafe, La Brasa, Tapatio, Gauchao, Blanca’s, Deano’s Pasta, Joe’s Liquors, Amigos Market, and more!

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Also, this Thursday, August 25, the Water Department is scheduled to be on the agenda at the Board of Alderman meeting. It’s on the agenda because Alderman at Large Bill White has asked for it to be there, hopefully to explain the new tax (sorry, we meant fee) of $60 per bill. You already received an add-on to your bill in July. Did you notice it? Probably not, but the entire city was sent the extra fee. When the budget hearings were held this past June and the Water Dept. appeared, no one mentioned that there would be this fee. Maybe they were trying to sneak it in? Don’t forget, that’s $60 per bill, per water meter. We get three bills a year. Doing the math, that’s $180 extra tax (again, sorry, we meant fee). With an estimated 11K meters, is there going to be an “Add on Charge” by the Water Department? So, either be present at the BOA meeting or make sure you watch on TV or online to find out why they decided to do this without a public hearing.

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A happy birthday on August 26 to Big Fish Little Fish neighbor, an old Kay and Chips fan, Simon Hill, who reminds us that this day is one of the least known celebrations in this country. It’s Women’s Equality Day, referencing the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote in 1920. By some twist of fate, August 26 was also 1984 Vice-Presidential hopeful Geraldine Ferraro’s birthday, and she passed away in March of 2011, aged 75, just down the road at MGH. And while Ferraro – who was the first woman and the first Italian American to be a major party national nominee – wasn’t elected with Walter Mondale, this year will almost certainly see Hillary Clinton attain office. There will be a Women’s Equality Day celebration this Friday, from noon to 1:00 p.m., by The Swan Boats on the Boston Common. Somerville’s own Denise Provost, fresh from both the success of the Transgender Rights Bill, and local speed limits for vehicles, will be one of the featured speakers, along with MA Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and WSCC President Freddie Kay. There will be more cause for crowing this year because of the passage of the equal pay law in MA, which takes effect July 1, 2018. So take a trip to the Boston Common this Friday and join in the festivities.

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The 2.5 proposition override will be on the ballot this coming November. It will be interesting to see how that will go, some of these new people coming in to the city already pay high tax, this will be more on the bill. Proposing a new high school, which was estimated to cost way over $200M, the city needs $50M for the Green Line. City officials can’t stop spending money. Taxes for your average 2-family home will soon be at $1,000 per month.

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Happy birthday to a couple of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: A local guy who’s family is still here, Clifford Clark is celebrating this week and we wish him the very best. He’s nice guy and great dad to his two beautiful and smart kids. A Happy birthday to David Lilley, a local realtor who has been listing and selling homes successfully here in Somerville. We wish him a great birthday.

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The Mayor’s Office has declined to comment on the letter from a student in Los Angeles, CA regarding his filing a lawsuit against the city. They are waiting to see if he’s for real and if he will file the suit.

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Primary Day is Thursday, September 8. Normally it’s on a Tuesday, but it’s on a Thursday again this year. Mark it on you calendar. We will be doing an endorsement next week in the paper for the senate seat and for the state representative seat presently held by Tim Toomey. Meantime, the debate for both offices is being aired on local SCATV several times. All four candidates did very well and we will have a surprise next week in our endorsement.

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There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com. Someone asked online why we keep these two websites in Newstalk. We guess it’s because we like them.

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For those that might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They provide an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course. We’ve been told that the course has seen a major increase in people applying for it, especially women. We can tell you first hand here that it’s a great course and quite thorough. The same goes for this in Newstalk. The club has informed us that many residents of Somerville have called or gone to the club to find out about certification.

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Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Avenue is a great place to stop in and visit with some friends and have a bite to eat and enjoy the variety of entertainment that Liam, the owner, brings in every night. Wednesday is poker night, with lots of fun. Come and enjoy. Say “Hi” to Liam, Zack and Rob.

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On August 31, the Matahari Women Workers’ Center will host the conversation, “Uplifting Women Workers & Families: Cambridge & Somerville Candidates’ Roundtable.” Candidates for the 2nd Middlesex District Senate seat, incumbent Senator Pat Jehlen and Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung, as well as candidates for the 26th Middlesex District House seat, incumbent Representative Tim Toomey and attorney and community organizer Mike Connolly, will join Matahari. The roundtable will take place on Wednesday, August 31st at 7 pm at CIC Cambridge, 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142, on the 5th floor. Key community leaders from Matahari and other local organizations will come together just over a week before candidates face off in the September 8 primary election. Workers, including nannies and au pairs, will share personal stories highlighting priority issues for women workers and families in Cambridge and Somerville. Issues include defending the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, winning paid time off for all workers, and protecting immigrant families.

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Are you looking to socialize and meet new people? If so, there is the 6-week Forming Friendships Social Group at the Somerville Council on Aging, 167 Holland St., starting September 20, that may interest you. Come participate in fun “get to know one another” activities/games and take part in thought provoking discussions. There are limited spots available in this group, so call soon to reserve your spot. To register or if you have any questions, please call Katey Duchin, LCSW at 617-625-6600 ext. 2318.